acacia forum research methodology
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Acacia Research and Learning Forum - Tutorial 1, 8 October 2009 Strengthening Theory and Methodology for ICT4D Research Facilitator: Camilo Villa Dakar, SenegalTRANSCRIPT
Acacia ForumResearch
Methodology
Project design, basic methods and techniquesCamilo Villa:
[email protected], 8 October 2009
Objectives
• In particular, regarding the notions of:– Knowledge types– Research paradigms– Situated research– Research practices
• By providing an overview of diverse collaborative tools and
• By analysing emerging challenges in relation to ethics and responsibility as researcher
This tutorial aims to provide you with concepts and tools that would contribute to strength your research competencies and collaborative practices.
Agenda
• Methodology and epistemology– Types of knowledge– Research paradigms– Situated research
• Research communities– Developing collaborative
practices– Web tools for research
• Ethics and responsibility
First approach
• What did happen?• Who were involved and
where?• What kind of conclusions
you can make?• What caused the event to
happen?• Which could be the future
implications of this event?
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Second approach
• Which is the context?• Which are the background
considerations?• How would you explain the
later event?
Types of knowledge
Building-up: Usually, new knowledge is developed based on previous one
?
Descriptive: what, where, how, who, when
Explanatory: why it happened
Prescriptive: what could / should be done
Evaluative: which where the consequences
Predictive: is there another way to do it? What could happen?
Quantitative approach
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Scope: large groupsTrends: identify patterns and directionsMeans: averages, deviationsClusters: groupsLower costs
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Qualitative approach
Depth: more detailsExplanations: why it happenedContext: localised knowledgeEmerging: hidden knowledgeHigher costs
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Out-of-the-Box
• What is a paradigm?• How the position of the researcher
influences the outcomes?• To what extent the paradigm is a
secure framework or a barrier?• Is there room for creativity in
doing research?
Situated Research
• Where do you stand?• Which is your paradigm?• What has been, done said?• Which kind of approaches have been
used?• What kind of knowledge is needed?• Who needs the knowledge?• Which would be the use of this
knowledge?• Who is paying for the research?• Which would be your audience?
Groups
• How did you collect data? Which problems did you face during that process? Which are the key lessons?
• Which was your methodological approach: qualitative, quantitative, a blend? What have you learned in using it?
• If you did a participatory research: which were the major gains and obstacles?
• How women and men where involved, both as researchers and as part of the target group? Which were/are the major obstacles and how could they be overcome?
Share with your colleagues key methodological lessons from your project(s); cover some of the following aspects:
Research communities
•Research practices•Web 2.0 tools
Research practices
• Isolated• Performance based on publications• Literacy problems concerning the use of
web tools• Different roles: core, explorers, starters,
etc.• Trust • Interdisciplinary approaches• Systematisation and continuity
Web 2.0• References:
– Mendeliev: http://www.mendeley.com/– CiteUlike– EndNote
• Bookmarks/favourites: http://delicious.com/• Surveys: http://www.surveymonkey.com/• Documents:
http://www.google.com/google-d-s/intl/en/tour1.html
• Presentations: http://www.slideshare.net/• Files: http://www.box.net• Blogs: http://www.wordpress.com/
References
• BELL, S. J. (2006) Search Alternatives and Beyond. Educause Quarterly, 3, 11-15.
• FLICK, U. (2002) Qualitative research ± state of the artQualitative research ± state of the art. Social Science Information, 4, 5-24.
• GRANT, L. & BUFORD MAY, R. A. (1999) The Promises and Perils of Ethnography in the New Millennium: Lessons from Teaching. Journal of Contemporary Ethnography, 29, 549-560.
• MEYER, C. B. (2001) A Case in Case Study Methodology. Field Methods, 13, 329-352.
• RYAN, G. W. & BERNARD, H. R. (2003) Techniques to Identify Themes. Field Methods, 15, 85-109.
• SHARTS-HOPKO, N. C. (2001) Focus Group Methodology: When and Why? JOURNAL OF THE ASSOCIATION OF NURSES IN AIDS CARE, 12, 89-91.
• VERSCHUREN, P. & DOOREWARD, H. (1999) Designing a Research Project., Utrecht. , Lemma.
• Just a Minute (N.D.). Lights of the city: www.justaminute.org
Thanks !
PS: There is customer service, I mean, post-sales support through the Acacia site and eventually via email: [email protected]
Merci ! Gracia
s !